Aliphatic hydrocarbon esters and derivatives

ABSTRACT

NOVEL ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS ESTERS, ACIDS AND ALCOHOLS HAVING A BACKBONE OF AT LEAST 12 CARBON ATOMS, A LOWER ALKYL GROUP AT C-3, C-7 AND C-11, AND UNSATURATION OR SATURATION AT C-2,3; C--6,7 OR C-10,11 WHICH ARE SUBSTITUTED WITH HALO AND HYDROXY, AND THE ESTERS AND ETHERS THEREOF, USEFUL AS ARTHROPOD MATURATION INHIBITORS.

United States Patent 3,712,880 AMPHATEQ HYDROCAREON ESTERS AND DERIVATIVES John B. Siddall, Palo Alto, Calif., and Jean Pierre Calame,

Faiianden, Switzerland, assignors to Zoecon Corporation, Palo Alto, Calif.

No Drawing. Division of application Ser. No. 843,818, July 22, 1969, now Patent No. 3,671,558, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 800,266, Feb. 18, 1969, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 618,351, Feb. 24, 1967, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of applications Ser. No. 579,490, Sept. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 590,195, Oct. 28, 1966, @er. No. 592,324, Nov. 7, 1966, and Ser. No. 594,664, Nov. 11, 1966, all now abandoned. This application Apr. 3, 1970, Ser. No. 25,581

Int. Cl. Cllc 3/00 US. Cl. 260408 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Novel aliphatic hydrocarbon esters, acids and alcohols having a backbone of at least 12 carbon atoms, a lower alkyl group at C-3, C-7 and C-11, and unsaturation or saturation at C-2,3, C-'6,7 or C-10,11 which are substituted with halo and hydroxy, and the esters and ethers thereof, useful as arthropod maturation inhibitors.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 843,818, filed July 22, 1969, now US. Pat. 3,671,558 which is a continuation-in-part of application 'Ser. No. 800,266, filed Feb. 18, 1969, now abandoned; which is, in turn, a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 618,351, filed Feb. 24, 1967, now abandoned; which is, in turn, a continuation-impart of applications Ser. No. 579,490, filed Sept. 15, 1966, now abandoned; Ser. No. 590,195, filed Oct. 28, 1966, now abandoned; Ser. No. 592,324, filed Nov. 7, 1966, now abandoned; and Ser. No. 594,664, filed Nov. 11, 1966, now abandoned.

This invention relates to novel aliphatic hydrocarbon ester derivatives and to processes for their preparation.

'More particularly, the present invention relates to novel substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon esters, substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon acids and substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon alcohols (and the ethers and esters of said alcohols) having a backbone chain of 12 to 17 carbon atoms and a lower alkyl group at positions C-3, C-7 and C-11. These substituted aliphatic hydrocarbons can be prepared according to several methods described hereinafter. One method is to first prepare a substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon ester and then convert the substituted ester into the acid or alcohol to obtain novel substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon acids and alcohols (the alcohol, thereafter, can be converted into the ether or ester). Alternatively, an unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon ester is first converted into the corresponding acid or alcohol and thereafter the acid or alcohol is substituted according to the procedures described hereinafter.

The terms aliphatic hydrocarbon ester, aliphatic hydrocarbon acid, and aliphatic hydrocarbon alcohol, as used herein, refers to compounds characterized by the following formula:

as it ice wherein each of R R R and R is a lower alkyl group and R represents the group wherein R is a lower alkyl group and the corresponding 2,3-dihydro; 6,7-dihydro; 10,11-dihydro; 2,3;6,7-tetrahydro; 6,7;10,11-tetrahydro and 2,3;10,11-tetrahydro compounds of the above formula.

The terms substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon ester, substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon acid and substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon alcohol refer to compounds of Formula XV above containing substituents, [for example, methylene, difiuoromethylene, dichloromethylene, oxido, chloro, fluoro, bromo or hydroxy (ethers and esters thereof)], at one or more of positions C-2, C-3, C-6, C7, C-10 and (3-11 as described hereinafter, see, for example, Formulas A, XVI through XXVIII and the examples.

wherein,

Each of R R R and R is lower alkyl;

Z is hydrogen, hydroxy and ethers thereof, bromo, chloro or fluoro;

Z is hydrogen, hydroxy and esters and ethers thereof, bromo, chloro, fiuoro, or, when taken together with Z is a carbon-carbon double bond between C-2,3 or one of the groups 0, CH or CX in which X is chloro or fluoro;

Z is hydrogen, hydroxy and esters and ethers thereof, bromo, chloro or fiuoro;

Z is hydrogen, hydroxy and esters and ethers thereof, bromo, chloro, fluoro, or, when taken together with Z, is a carbon-carbon double bond between C-'6,7 or one of the groups 0, CH CCl or CF Z is hydrogen, hydroxy and esters and ethers thereof, bromo, chloro or fluoro;

Z is hydrogen, hydroxy and esters and ethers thereof, bromo, chloro, fluoro, or, when taken together with Z is a carbon-carbon double bond between O-1'0,1'1 or one of the groups 0, CH or CX in which X is chloro or fluoro; and

R is the group -COOR' or CH OR" in which R is hydrogen or lower alkyl and R is hydrogen, lower alkyl or carboxylic acyl group; and the acid addition salts of the free acids, provided that when Z is hydrogenthen Z is hydrogen.

Included within the present invention are the alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts of the substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon acids. The salts of these acids include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, barium, and the like.

As indicated above, the novel substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon esters, acids and alcohols (including the esters and ethers of said alcohols) can be derived from the compounds of Formula XV. The compounds of Formula XV can be prepared according to a process outlined as follows wherein 'R R R and R are as defined above, Alk is a lower alkyl group and 95 is phenyl.

v R R2 R1 In the practice of the above process (I X), a dialkyl ketone (I) is reacted with an equal molar quantity, preferably an excess, of the Wittig reagent of Formula II in an organic solvent, e.g. dimethyl sulfoxide, at reflux temperatures to furnish the corresponding substituted Wittig reaction adduct of Formula III.

The Wittig reagent of Formula II can be prepared by conventional procedures, such as is described by Trippett, Advances in Organic Chemistry, vol. 1, pp. 83-102, Trippett, Quarterly Review, vol. l617, pp. 406 110; and Greenwald et al., Journal of Organic Chemistry 28, 1128 (1963) from the 4-ethylene ketal of a l-halo-4-alkanone by treatment with triphenylphosphine followed by treatment with butyl or phenyl lithium.

The 4-ethylene ketal of the 1-halo-4-alkanone is obtained by subjecting the 4-keto compound to conventional ketalysis with ethylene glycol in benzene in the presence of an aryl sulfonic acid. The 1-halo-4-alkanone, particularly the 1-brorno derivative can be prepared by known procedures such as that described in German Pat. No. 801,276 (Dec. 28, 1950), vide Chemical Abstracts 45, 2972h and by Jager et al., Arch. Pharm. 293 896 (1960), vide Chemical Abstracts 55, 3470g. Briefly, these procedures involve treating butyroiactone with the desired alkyl alkanoate to provide the corresponding ccacylbutyrolactone adduct. Treatment of the latter adduct with alkali metal halide, particularly sodium bromide, in aqueous sulfuric acid then provides the corresponding 1- bromo-4-alkanone. Thus butyrolactone when treated with ethyl acetate gives a-acetylbutyrolactone which is, in turn, converted to l-bromo-4-pentanone.

Hydrolysis of the Wittig reaction adduct (III) with aqueous acid aifords the free ketone (IV).

By repeating the Wittig reaction just described on the thus formed ketone (IV) with the Wittig reagent (V) (prepared as described above), the corresponding diene adduct (VI) is obtained which is then hydrolyzed with aqueous acid to the dienone (VII).

The dienone of Formula VII is then converted into the trienoate of Formula VIII by treatment with a diethyl carboalkoxymethylphosphonate, such as diethyl carbomethoxymethyl phosphonate (VIII; Alk is methyl), in the presence of an alkali metal hydride, e.g., sodium hydride.

The aliphatic hydrocarbon ester (trienoate) of Formula VIII can then be converted into the corresponding aliphatic hydrocarbon acid of Formula IX by treatment With an alkali metal salt, e.g. sodium carbonate, in aqueous alcohol, e.g. aqueous methanol or into the corresponding aliphatic hydrocarbon alcohol of Formula X by treatment with, for example, lithium aluminum hydride.

The term lower alkyl, as used herein, refers to straight or branched chain saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having a chain length of one to six carbon atoms, e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, i-propyl, s-butyl, i-butyl, and the like. The term lower alkoxy, as used herein, refers to straight chain alkyloxy groups of one to six carbon atoms.

The addition of a methylene group to an unsaturated position of the molecule can be performed selectively at C2,3 by the reaction of an unsaturated compound with dimethylsulfoxonium methylide base [prepared in the manner of Corey et al., Journal of the American Chemical Society 87, 1353 (1965)] in dimethylsulfoxide. Addition of the fused methylene group at the C6,7 and 710,l1 positions follows upon reaction of the unsaturated linkages with methylene iodide and a zinc-copper couple in the manner of Simmons and Smith, I. Am. Chem. Soc. 81, 4-256 (1956). Preferably, the addition of the methylone group is conducted on an aliphatic hydrocarbon ester and thereafter the ester can be converted into the corresponding acid or alcohol by the procedures described hereinabove to obtain methylene substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon acids and methylene substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon alcohols. The thus obtained alcohol can then be etherified or esterified according to conventional etherification and esterification processes.

Similarly, the formation of the epoxide is selectively performed at the C2,3 position by reaction with hydrogen peroxide in aqueous alkali medium, such as is usually provided by sodium hydroxide. Addition of the oxido group at the C6,7 and C10,ll positions is performed with m-chloroperbenzoic acid, preferably in methylene chloride or chloroform solution. The formation of an epoxide at C-2,3, C-6,7 and/0r Cl0,ll in the case of acids and alcohols is preferably accomplished via the appropriate or desired epoxidation of an aliphatic hydrocarbon ester and then conversion of the ester into the acid or alcohol. If a methylene substituent and epoxide are to be introduced on the same backbone, it is preferable to perform the methylene addition first and then carry out epoxidation.

A difiuoromethylene group at positions C--6,7 and C- 10,11 of an aliphatic hydrocarbon ester can be added by reacting the starting monoene, diene or triene with about 1.2 molar equivalents of trimethyltrifluoromethyl tin in the presence of sodium iodide in benzene/monoglyme solvent at reflux over a period of a few hours. By varying the mole ratio of the two reactants and the temperature and time of reaction, the reaction can be favored toward one or the other 6,7 and 10,11 mono adducts and the 6,7;l0,l1 bis adduct. The C-2,3 position is not attacked except under forcing conditions. Thereafter, the ester group can, if desired, be converted into the corresponding acid or alcohol by the procedures described above.

In the case of adding difluoromethylene to an aliphatic hydrocarbon alcohol, introduction at any one of positions C-2,3; C-6,7; and C-10,1l can be accomplished by using 1.2 molar equivalents of trimethyltrifluoromethyl tin and sodium iodide in monoglyme and refluxing for about 2 hours. Similarly, the his adducts at C-2,3;6,7, C2,3;l0,11 and C6,7;10,11 can be prepared by following the above procedure with the exception of using about 2.5 molar equivalents of trimethyltrifluoromethyl tin and sodium iodide and refluxing for about 3 hours. Similarly, the tris adduct can be obtained by using about 5 to molar equivalents of the reagents and refluxing for about 5 to hours. The mono, his and tris adducts are separable by preparative gas-liquid chromatography.

A fused dichloromethylene group is introduced into an aliphatic hydrocarbon ester by reacting the C6 or C-10 monoene; C-2,6, C2,l0 or C'6,l0 diene; or C2, 6,l0 triene thereof with phenyldichlorobromomethyl mercury in benzene at reflux for from one to five hours. The relative yield of the C-6,7 and C10,l1 mono adducts and the C--6,7;l0,l1 bis adduct varies with the amount of mercury reagent and the reaction conditions employed. Generally, about or slightly more than one molar equivalent provides the mono adducts predominantly, the bis adduct being favored by use of about 2.5 molar equivalents. The mono and his adducts are separable by gasliquid chromatography. These adducts can be converted into the correspondingly substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon acids and alcohol via the procedure described above. In the case of aliphatic hydrocarbon alcohol starting materials, dichloromethylene can be added at C2,3 in addition to the formation of his adducts (C2,3;6,7, C-2,3;10,11, C-6,7;10,11) by following the methods described above for aliphatic hydrocarbon esters and thereafter separating the adducts by gas-liquid chromatography. In addition, by using about 4 to 6 molar equivalents of the mercury reagent and refluxing for about 5 hours, the tris adduct can be obtained from corresponding 2,6,10-triene starting material.

A hydroxy, lower alkoxy, chloro, fluoro or bromo group at one or more positions on the backbone can be introduced via a number of methods.

At the C-2,3-position, a monohydroxy substitucnt is introduced by treating a 2,3-oxido substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon ester with a mole or less of lithium aluminum hydride under mild conditions such as at temperatures of from 0 C. to about 30 C. for a few minutes, eg about 1530 minutes, to furnish the corresponding 1,3-diol and the corresponding 2,3-oxido-1-ol. For the preparation of 3-OH derivatives of aliphatic hydrocarbon esters and acids, a ketone of Formula VII above is subjected to Reformatsky reaction (see for example, US. Pat. 3,031,481).

Etherification is thereafter conducted by methods known per se. For example, the hydroxy group can be treated with sodium hydride followed by an alkyl halide, such as ethyl bromide, to form the desired (lower)alkoxy group. Z-halotetrahydropyran and Z-halotetrahydrofuran are utilized for the corresponding tetrahydropyran-Z-yl and tetrahydrofuran-2-yl ethers. Acylation is likewise accomplished by known chemical processes, such as through the use of an acid anhydride in the presence of acid catalyst, for example, p-toluenesulfonic acid.

A 2,3-dihydroxy substitution can be accomplished by treating a 2,3-oxido substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon ester with 0.1 to 0.001 N perchloric acid in aqueous solution at room temperature for about 16 hours. A Z-hydroxy-3-lower alkoxy (straight chain) can be formed by similar perchloric acid treatment in a lower straight chain alcohol solvent medium. Alternatively, the 2,3-oxido starting material can be an aliphatic hydrocarbon acid or alcohol to furnish the corresponding C-2 and C3 substituted compounds.

A 2-hydroxy-3-chloro, fluoro or bromo substitution can be similarly accomplished by treating a 2,3-oxido substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon ester/acid or alcohol with HCl, HF or HBr, respectively.

Each of the C-6,7 and C-10,ll positions can be similarly substituted. Alternatively, monohydroxy substitution at C-7 and/ or C-11 can be carried out by treating the unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon with aqueous formic acid as described more fully hereinafter. Thereafter, etherification or esterification can be carried out by the methods described above.

Monohalo (chloro, fluoro or bromo) substitution or introduction can be accomplished by treating an unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon ester or acid with hydrogen halide. Selective introduction at 'C-ll is obtained by treatment of the unsaturated compound with the appropriate hydrogen halide in carbon tetrachloride or other halogenated hydrocarbon solvents of low dielectric constant. Introduction at C-7 and C-7,11 is favored by performing the reaction in diethyl ether or "benzene. This halo introduction can be performed using as the starting material either a 6 or 10 monoene, 2,10-diene, 2,6-diene, 6,lO-diene or 2,6,l0-triene unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon ester, acid, or alcohol.

Dihalo (Cl, F or Br) introduction at Cl0,ll or C6,7 or tetrahalo introduction at C-6,7,l(l,11 can be accomplished by treating an unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon ester, acid or alcohol with chlorine, fluorine or bromine in a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent. A mixture of the dihalo and tetrahalo products is obtained which is separable by chromatography. The starting material can be either a monoene, diene or tricne. The 2-ene is unaffected by the reaction except in the case of aliphatic hydrocarbon alcohols in which case halo substitution at C-2 and C-3 also takes place.

The bishydroxy derivatives (Z :Z' =hydroxy and/or Z -Z hydroxy) are prepared from the precursor epoxide (introduced as described above) with aqueous acid as set forth above. Similarly, the procedure given above in the insertion of the 6(l0)-hydroxy-7(ll)-alkoxy and1 6(10)-hydroxy-7(11)-halo substituents analogously pp y- In the preparation of the 6(1.0)-bromoand 6(10)- chloro-7(1l)-hydroxy compounds, the starting unsaturated compound is treated with the appropriate quantity of -N-bromoor N-chloro-succinimide in aqueous organic solvent, such as dioxane. The corresponding 7(11)-alkoxy compounds are similarly prepared in the presence of dry alkanol solvent. Use of hydrogen fluoride starting with the corresponding oxido compounds affords some of the 6(10)-fluoro-7(11)-hydroxy derivatives. Treatment thereof with acidified alkanol solution aflords the corresponding (lower) alkoxy compounds.

In the practice of the above described elaborations on the compounds hereof, relative sensitivities of various groups to certain reaction conditions dictates the preference for a general pattern of reaction sequence. Thus, in accordance herewith, the methyleneation reaction is usually performed initially on the triene. As mentioned, this can be done selectively.

The remaining sites of elaboration are generally epoxidized as the next step. This is particularly true for epoxidations at C-2,3 position for which it is preferred not to have present a halo substituent on the backbone chain. However, since the acidic conditions required for the addition of hydrogen halides cleave the epoxide, it is preferred to insert the oxide after such reactions are performed unless, of course, the epoxide is required for the insertion of the hydroxy(alkoxy)-halo bis-substituents, and the like.

With the exception of the above proviso for the oxido group, the fused halomethylene groups are preferably introduced after the fused methylene and oxido groups are present since these reactions are compatible with these groups.

After all desired elaboration is complete, hydrogenation of any of the unsubstituted double bonds is, if desired, carried out. Halogenation in the instance of introducing a tertiary halo atom is preferably conducted on the desired olefin isolated after hydrogenation.

Certain exceptions to the above general and preferred sequence exist; however, upon slight modification of the reactions according to the purposes desired in the preparation of particular compounds embraced by the present invention, chemical obstacles are overcome. These modifications are, as a whole, obvious to one skilled in the art and/ or apparent by the preparative procedures set forth in the examples contained hereinafter.

Separation of the various geometric isomers can be performed at any appropriate or convenient point in the overall process. An advantageous and particular synthetically valuable point at which isomers can be separated by chromatography and the like is at the conclusion of each step of the backbone synthesis, that is, after preparing each of the compounds represented by formulas (VIII), (IX), and (X). Another advantageous point includes that just after the selective addition of the methylene group at C2,3.

The novel substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon esters, acids and alcohols (including the esters and ethers of said alcohols) of the present invention are arthropod maturation inhibitors. They possess the ability to inhibit the maturation of members of the phylum Arthropoda, particularly, insects, in the passage from metamorphic stage to the next metamorphic stage. Thus, in the case of insects passing from the embryo stage to the larva stage, thence to the pupa stage, and thence to the adult stage, contact with an effective amount of a compound of the present invention, at any of the first three stages, inhibits passage to the next developmental stage with the insect either repeating passage through its present stage or dying. Moreover, these compounds exhibit ovicidal properties with insects and are accordingly useful in combating them. These compounds are very potent and thus can be used at extremely low levels, for example, from to 10" g. and are thus advantageously administered over large areas in quantities suitable for the estimated insect population. Generally the substances are liquids and for the purposes herein described, they can be utilized in conjunction with liquid or solid carriers. Typical insects against which these compounds are effective include mealworm, housefly, bollweevil, cornborer, mosquito, cockroach, moth, and the like.

Although not intending to be limited by any theoretical explanation, it appears that the effectiveness of these derivatives can be traced to their ability to mimic the activity of certain so-called juvenile hormone substances, such as those described in US. Pat. No. 2,981,655 and Law et al. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 55, 576 (1966). Because of the potency of the compounds of the present invention, they can be employed at extremely low concentrations, as noted above, to obtain reproducible and predetermined levels of activity. Juvenile hormone substances have been referred to as growth hormone also. Juvenile hormone was identified as methyl 10,11-oxido-7-ethyl-3,1l-trimethyltrideca-2,6-dienoate using an extract of cecropia moths by Roeller et al., Angew. Chem. internat. Edit. 6, 179 (February 1967) and Chemical & Engineering News, 48-49 (Apr. 10, 1967). A second juvenile hormone from the same source has been identified as methyl 10,11-oxido- 8 3,7,11-trimethyltrideca-Z,6-dienoate by Meyer et al., The Two Juvenile Hormones From the Cecropia Silk Moth, Zoology (Proc. N.A.S.) 60, 853 (1968). In addition to the natural juvenile hormones and the unidentified mixture of Law et al. above, some synthetic terpenoids have been reported to exhibit juvenile hormone activity-Bowers et al., Life Sciences (Oxford) 4, 2323 (1965 )methyl 10,11- oxido-3,7,l1-trimethyldodeca-2,6-dienoate; Williams et al., Journal of Insect Physiology 11, 569 (1965); BioScience 18, No. 8, 791 (August 1968); Williams, Scientific American 217, No. 1, 13 (July 1967);Science 154, 248 (Oct. 14, 1966); Romanuk et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 57, 349 (February 1967 )7,11-dichl0ro of esters of farnesoic acid-Canadian Pat. 795,805 (1968); Masner et al., Nature 219, 395 (July 27, 196 8); US. Pats. 3,429,970 and 3,453,362farnesene derivatives.

The presence of at least one and optionally two double bonds in the foregoing compounds permits the existence of geometric isomerism in the configuration of these compounds. This isomerism occurs with regard to the double bond bridging the C2,3 carbon atoms, the C6,7 atoms, and C-l0,1l atoms. Obviously, isomerism at the C-10,11 carbon atoms occurs only when R and R are different alkyl groups.

Thus, the isomers are the cis and trans of the monoene series and the cis,cis; cis,trans; trans,cis; and trans,trans of the diene series; each of which isomers in each series being included within the cope of this invention. Preferably, the isomerism relative to the double bond between C-2 and C-3 is trans. Each of these isomers are separable from the reaction mixture by which they are prepared by virtue of their different physical properties via conventional techniques, such as chromatography, including thinlayer and gas-liquid chromatography and fractional distillation.

The following examples will serve to further typify the nature of this invention. In some instances, the various isomeric forms are specified; however, in any of the reaction steps, the carbon-carbon double bonds can be cis or trans independent of the other or, isomeric mixtures can be employed.

EXAMPLE 1 Part A To a solution of 20.9 g. of the ethylene ketal of 1- bromo-4-pentanone (obtained by treating 1-bromo-4- pentanone with ethylene glycol in benzene in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid) in ml. of benzene is added 20 g. of triphenylphosphine. This mixture is heated at reflux temperature for two hours and then filtered. The solid material thus collected is washed with benzene, dried in vacuo, and added to 6.49 g. of butyl lithium in 50 ml. of dimethylsulfoxide. This mixture is stirred until an orange solution is obtained and 3.8 g. of methyl ethyl ketone is then added. This mixture is stirred at about 25 C. for about 8 hours, poured into water, and this mixture is extracted with ether. The ethereal extracts are concentrated and the residue thus obtained is added to a 0.1 N solution of hydrochloric acid in aqueous acetone and stirred for about 15 hours. The mixture is then poured into ice Water and extracted with ethyl acetate. After Washing these extracts with water and drying them over sodium sulfate, they are evaporated to yield a mixture of the cis and trans isomer of 6-methyl-5-octen-2- one which is separated by preparative gas-liquid chromatography into the individual isomers.

Part B To a solution of 20.9 g. of the ethylene ketal of 1- bromo-4-pentanone in 100 ml. of benzene is added 20 g. of triphenylphosphine. This mixture is heated at reflux tem erature for t c hour d. hen filte d- The so id material thus collected is washed with benzene, dried in vacuo, and added to 6.49 g. of butyl lithium in 50 ml. of dimethylsulfoxide. This mixture is stirred until an orange solution is obtained and 5.5 g. of trans 6-methyl- -octen-2-one (the ketone obtained in Part A) is then added. This mixture is stirred at about 25 C. for about 8 hours, poured into water, and this mixture is extracted with ether. The ethereal extracts are concentrated and the residue thus obtained is added to a 0.1 N solution of hydrochloric acid in aqueous acetone and stirred for about 15 hours. The mixture is then poured into ice water and extracted with ethyl acetate. After washing these extracts with water and drying them over sodium sulfate, they are evaporated to furnish a mixture of the trans, trans and cis, trans isomers of 6,10-dimethyldodeca-5,9- dien-Z-one which is separated by preparative gas-liquid chromatography to the individual isomers.

By repeating the above procedure with the exception of using cis G-methyl-S-octen-Z-one in place of trans 6- methyl-S-octen-Z-one, there is obtained a mixture of the cis, cis and trans, cis isomers of 6,10-dimethyldodeca- 5,9-dien-2-one which is separated as described above.

Similarly, in the above procedure, instead of using either the trans or cis isomers of 6-rnethyl-5-octen-2-one as the starting material, there can be used a mixture of the isomers obtained in Part A in which case a mixture of the four isomers is obtained which can then be separated by preparative gas-liquid chromatography into the four isomers.

Part C A mixture of 11.2 g. of diethyl carbomethoxy methylphosphonate in 100 ml. of diglyme is treated with 2.4 g. of sodium hydride. This mixture is stirred until the evolution of gas ceases and 7.5 g. of trans, trans 6,10-dirnethyldodeca-5,9-dien-2-one is then slowly added with stirring, maintaining a temperature below 30 C. The mixture is stirred for about 15 minutes and then diluted with water and extracted with ether. These ethereal extracts are washed well with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to remove the solvent to furnish a mixture of the trans,trans,trans and cis,trans,trans isomers of methyl 3,7,l1-trimethyltrideca-2,6,IO-trienoate which is separated by preparative gas-liquid chromatography.

The above procedure is repeated with the exception of using cis,trans 6,10-dimethyldodeca-S,9-dien-2-one as the starting material in place of the trans,trans isomer and there is obtained a mixture of the cis,cis,trans and trans,cis,trans isomers of methyl 3,7,11-trimethyltrideca- 2,6,l0-trienoate.

Similarly, in the above procedure, in place of using either the trans,trans or cis,trans isomer of 6,10-dimethyldodeca-5,9-dien-2-one as the starting material, there can be used as the starting material a mixture of isomers obtained in Part B and thereafter separating the individual isomers, by preparative gas-liquid chromatography.

In the examples which follow, in some instances the isomeric forms are not specified; however, in each of the procedures set forth in the following examples, reference to the compound or compounds named is inclusive of each isomer or isomeric mixtures thereof. In other words, the following examples are illustrative of procedures which are applicable to compounds embracing individual isomers or isomeric mixtures of the type set forth hereinabove.

EXAMPLE 2 By repeating the process of Example 1 with the exceptions that in Part A thereof, methyl ethyl ketone is replaced with the ketones listed in column I and the ketone thus obtained is used in place of 6-methyl5-octen- 2-one in Part B, there is obtained the acid esters listed in column II.

I II

Acetone Methyl 3,7,11-trimethyldo-deea-2,6,10-

trienoate. Methyl n-propyl ketone Mgtgayl 37,ll-trimethyltetradeea-2,6,10-

r enoa e. Diethyl ketone Methyl 3,7-dlmethyl-ll-ethyltrideca-2,6,

lfl-trienoate. Methyl i-propyl ketone Methyl 3,7,11,lZ-tetramethyltrideea-2,6,

10-trienoate. Methyl n-butyl ketone Mgthyl 3,t7,1l-trimethylpentadeea-2,6,l0

rienoa e. Ethyl n-propyl ketone Methyl 3,7-dimethyl-11-ethyltetradeca- 2,6,10-trienoate. Methyl t-butyl ketone Methyl 3,7,11,12,12-pentamethyltrldeca- 2,6,10-trienoate. Methyl l-butyl ketone Methyl 3,7,11,13-tetramethyltetradeca- 2,6,10-trienoate. Methyl s-butyl ketone Methyl 3,7,l1,12-tetramethyltetradeea- 2,6,10-trienoate. Ethyl i-propyl ketone Methyl 3,7,12-trimethyl-1l-ethyltrldeca- 2,6,10-trieuoate. Methyl n-amyl ketone Methyl 3,7,1l-trimethylhexadeea-2,6,10-

trienoate: Ethyl n-bntyl ketone Methyl 3,7-dlmethyl-ll-ethylpentadeea- 2,6,10-trienoate. 3-ethy1-2'pentanone Methyl 3,7,11-trimethyl-lZ-ethyltetradeeaZfiJU-trlenoate. Dusopropyl ketone Methyl 3,7,12-trimethyl-ll-(i-propyD- trideea-2,6,IO-trienoate: Methyl n-hexyl ketone Mtthyl 3,7,ll-trimethylheptadew-2,6,10-

rienoate. 5-ethyl-3-heptanone Methyl 3,7-dimethyl-11,la-diethyltetradeea-2,6-l0-trienoate. 4-deeanone Methyl 3,7-dimethyl-1l-(n-propyl)-heptadeca-2,6,1t)-trienoate. di-n-Arnyl ketouo [ethyl 3,7-dimethyl-11-(namyl)- hexadeea-2,6,IO-trienoate. di-n-Hexyl ketono Methyl 3,7 limethyl-11(n-hexyl)- heptadece-2,6,lO-trienoate.

EXAMPLE 3 The process of Example 1 is repeated with the exception that in Part A thereof, 1-bromo-4-pentanone is replaced with the 1-bromo-4-ketones listed in Column III to furnish the acid esters listed in Column IV.

III IV 1-bromo-4-hexanone Methyl 3,1l-dlmethyl-I-ethyltrideca- 2,6,l0-trlenoate.

1-bromo-4-heptanone Methyl 3,11-dimethy1-7-(n-propyD- tridecu-2,6,lO-trlenoate.

l-bromokoetanone Methyl 3,11.-di.methyl-7-(u-butyl)- trideea-2,fi,lo-trlenoate.

1-bromo-4-nouanone Methyl 3,1l-dimethyl-7-(n-amyD- trideea-2,6,10-trienoate l-bromoJi-methyl 4-hexanone- Methyl 3,11-dimethyl-6-(i-propyl)- trldeoa-2,6,lO-trienoate. l-bromo-G-methyl 4-heptanone- Methyl 3,l1--dimethyl-7-(l-butyl)- trideea2,6,IO-trienoate. 1-bromo-5,5-dlmethyl Methyl 3,1l-dimethyl- -(t-b1ztyl)- 4-hexanone. trideca-2,6,10-trienoute.

Similarly, by repeating the procedure of Example 2 using the 1-bromo-4-ketones listed in Column III in place of 1-bromo-4-pentanone, there is obtained methyl 3 (i-butyl) -7- (t-butyl l l methyltrideca-2,6,10-

trienoate,

methyl 3,7-[di(t-butyl)]-l1-methyltrideca-2,6,10-

trienoate, respectively, and similarly,

methyl 3,7-diethyl-11-methyldodeca-2,6,lO-trienoate,

methyl 7- (n-propyl -3-ethyl-l 1-methyld0deca-2,6,10-

trienoate,

methyl 7-( n-butyl)-3-ethyl-1 l-methyldodeca-2,6,10-

trienoate,

methyl 7-(n-amyl)-3-ethyl-1 1-methyldodeca-2,6,10-

trienoate,

methyl 7-(i-propyl)-3-ethyl-1 1-methyldodeca-2,6,10-

trienoate,

methyl 7-(i-buty1)-3-ethyl-l1-methyldodeca-2,6,10-

trienoate,

methyl 7-(t-butyl)-3-ethyl-11-methyldodeca-2,6,10-

trienoate,

methyl 3,7 -diethyl-l 1-methyltetradeca-2,6, 1 O-trienoate,

methyl 7-(n-propyl)-3-ethyl-11-methyltetradeca-2,6,10

trienoate,

methyl 7-(n-butyl)-3-ethyl-l1-methyltetradeca-2,6,10-

trienoate,

methyl 7-(n-amyl)-3-ethyl-l1-methyltetradeca-2,6,10-

trienoate,

methyl 7- i-propyl -3-ethyl-1 1-methyltetradeca-2,6,10-

trienoate,

methyl 7- (i-butyl -3-ethy1-1 1-methyltetradeca-2,6,10-

trienoate,

methyl 7- t-butyl -3-ethyl-1 1-methyltetradeca-2,6,10

trienoate,

methyl 3,7 1 1-triethyltrideca-2,6, l O-trienoate,

methyl 7-(n-propyl)-3,1 l-diethyltrideca-2,6,IO-trienoate,

methyl 7-(n-butyl -3,1 1-diethyltrideca-2,6, 1 O-trienoate,

methyl 7- (n-amyl)-3,1 1-diethyltrideca-2,6,lO-trienoate,

methyl 7-(i-propyl)-3,1l-diethyltrideca-2,6,IO-trienoate,

methyl 7-(i-butyl)-3,11-diethyltrideca-2,6,lO-trienoate,

methyl 7-(t-butyl)-3,11-diethyltrideca-2,6,IO-trienoate,

methyl 3,7-diethyl-1 1-methylpentadeca-2,6, l O-trienoate,

methyl 7 (n-propyl) -3-ethyl-1 1-methylpentadeca-2,6,l0-

trienoate,

methyl 7-(n-butyl)-3-ethyl-11-methylpentadeca-2,6,10-

trienoate,

methyl 7- (n-amyl) -3-ethyl-1 1-methylpentadeca-2,6,10-

trienoate,

methyl 7-(i-propyl)-3-ethyl-1 l-methylpentadeca-2,6,10-

trienoate,

methyl 7-(i-butyl)-3-ethyl-1 1-methylpentadeca-2,6,10-

trienoate,

methyl 7- (t-butyl) -3-ethy1-1 1-methylpentadeca-2,6,l0-

trienoate,

methyl 3,7 1 l-triethyltetradeca-2,6, 1 O-trienoate,

methyl 7-(n-propyl)-3,l l-diethyltetradeca-2,6,10-

trienoate,

methyl 7- (n-butyl)-3,l l-diethyltetradeca-2,6,IO-trienoate,

methyl 7 n-amyl -3 ,1 1-diethyltetradeca-2,6, IO-trienoate,

methyl 7- (i-propyl -3 ,1 1-diethyltetradeca-2,6, IO-trienoate,

methyl 7-(i-buty1) -3,1 1-diethyltetradeca-2,6,10-trienoate,

methyl 7- (t-butyl -3 ,1 1-diethy1tetradeca-2,6, 1 O-trienoate,

methyl 3,7-diethyl-l 1,12, l2-trimethyltrideca-2,6,10-

trienoate,

methyl 7- (n-propyl) -3-ethyl-1 1,12,12trimethyltrideca- 2,6,10-trienoate, and the like.

EXAMPLE 5 The procedure of Example 1 is repeated with the exception that in Part C, diethyl carbomethoxy methyl phosphonate is replaced with other dialkyl carboalkoxy methyl phosphonates, e.g. diethyl carbethoxy methyl phosphonate, diethyl n-propoxycarbonyl methyl phosphonate, dimethyl n-butoxycarbonyl methyl phosphonate, and the like, to furnish the corresponding alkyl 3,7,ll-trimethyltrideca- 2,6,10-trienoate, e.g. ethyl 3,7,1l-trimethyltrideca-2,6,10- trienoate, n-propyl 3,7,11-trimethyldeca-2,6,IO-trienoate, n-butyl 3,7,1l-trimethyltrideca-2,6,10-trienoate, and the like.

Similarly, by repeating the procedure of Examples 2, 3 and 4 with the exception that diethyl carbomethoxy methyl phosphonate is replaced with diethyl carbethoxy methyl phosphonate, diethyl n-propoxycarbonyl methyl phosphonate and dimethyl n-butoxycarbonyl methyl phosphonate, the corresponding ethyl 2,6,lO-trienoates, n-pr0- pyl 2,6,10-trienoates and n-butyl 2,6,10-trienoates are obtained. For example,

ethyl 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,lO-trienoate, n-propyl 3,7,1 l-trimethyldodeca-2,6,IO-trienoate, n-butyl 3,7,1 1-trimethyldodeca-2,6, 1 O-trienoate, ethyl 3 ,11-dimethyl-7-ethyltrideca--2,6,IO-trienoate, n-propyl 3,11-dimethy1-7-ethyltrideca-2,6,IO-trienoate, n-butyl 3,11-dimethyl-7-ethyltrideca-2,6,IO-trienoate, ethyl 3,1 1-dimethyl-7-ethyldodeca-2,6,lO-trienoate, n-propyl 3,1 1-dimethyl-7-ethyldodeca-Z,6,lO-trienoate, n-butyl 3,1 1-dimethyl-7-ethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienoate, ethyl 3-ethyl-7,11-dimethyltrideca-2,6,lO-trienoate, n-propyl 3-ethyl-7,11-dimethyltrideca-2,6,IO-trienoate, n-butyl 3-ethyl-7,l1-dimethyltrideca-2,6,lO-trienoate, ethyl 3-ethyl-7, 1 1-dimethy1dodeca-2,6, 1 0-trienoate, n-propyl 3-ethyl-7,11-dimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienoate, n-butyl 3-ethyl-7 ,1 1-dimethyldodeca-2,6, IO-trienoate, ethyl 3,7-diethyl-11-methyltrideca-2,6,lO-trienoate, n-propyl 3,7 -diethyl-1 1-methyltrideca-2,6,10 trienoate, n-butyl 3,7-diethyl-1 1-methyltrideca-2,6, IO-trienoate,

and the like.

EXAMPLE 6 A mixture of 1 g. of methyl 3,7,11-trimethyltrideca-2,6, IO-trienoate, 60 ml. of methanol, 0.1 g. of sodium carbonate, and 6 ml. of water is heated at reflux for two hours. The mixture is then cooled, diluted with water and extracted with ether. The ethereal extracts are washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to remove the solvent. The residue is subjected to fractional vacuum distillation to yield 3,7,11-trimethyltrideca-2,6,10- trienoic acid.

By repeating the procedure of this example with the exception of substituting the other acid esters, preferably the methyl esters or ethyl esters obtained by the above procedures (Examples 2, 3, 4 and 5) for methyl 3,7,11- trimethyltrideca-2,6,IO-trienoate, there is obtained the corresponding free acids, e.g. 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6, IO-trienoic acid, 3,11-dimethyl 7 ethyltrideca-2,6,10- trienoic acid, 3,7-diethyl-11-methyltrideca-2,6,IO-trienoic acid, 3,11-dimethyl-7-ethyldodeca-2,6,IO-trienoic acid, 7, 11-dimethyl-3-ethyltrideca 2,6,10 trienoic acid, 7,11-dimethyl-3-ethyldodeca-2,6,IO-trienoic acid, and the like.

EXAMPLE 7 A suspension of 0.5 g. of 5% palladium-on-carbon catalyst in 50 ml. of benzene is hydrogenated for 30 minutes. A solution of 2 g. of 6,10-dimethyldodeca-5,9-dien-2 one in ml. of benzene is added and hydrogenated with agitation until the theoretical amount of hydrogen has been absorbed. The catalyst is thereafter removed by filtration and the solution is evaporated to yield 6,10 dimethyldodec-S-en-Z-one, 6,10 dimethyldodec-9-en-2-one and 6,10-dimethyldodecan-2-one which are separated and purified by preparative gas-liquid chromatography.

EXAMPLE 8 By repeating the procedure of Part A of Example 1 using, for example, the ketones listed in Column V in lieu of methyl ethyl ketone and using the ketone thus obtained for the procedure of Part B of Example 1, there are obtained the respective products listed in Column VI which are hydrogenated using the procedure of Example 7 to afford 6,10 dimethylundec-S-en-Z-one, 6,10 dimethylundec-9-en-2-one, and 6,l0-dimethylundecan-2-one; 6- methyl-10-ethyldodec-S-en-Z-one, 6-methyl-10-ethyldodec- 9-en-2-one, and 6-methyl-IO-ethyldodecan-Z-one; 6,10,11- trimethyldodec-5-en-2-one, 6,10,11-trimethyldodec-9=en-2 one, and 6,10,11-trimethyldodecan-2-one; 6-methyl-10- V VI Acetone 6,lll-dimethylundeca-5,9-dien-2one.

Diethyl ketone G-methyl-lO-ethylddeca-5,9-dien-2-0ne.

Methyl l-propyl ketone 6,10,ll-trimethyldodeca-5,9-dien-2-one.

Ethyl n-propyl ketone G-methyl--ethyltrideca-fi,Q-dien-Z-one.

Methyl t-butyl ketone 6,10,11,11-tetramethyldodcca-5,9-dien-2- one.

By repeating the procedure of Part C of Example 1 using diethyl carbethoxymethyl phosphonate in place of 20 ethyl 3,1 1-dimethyl-7- (i-propyl) -trideca-2,6-dienoate, ethyl 3,1 l-dimethyl-7-(i-propyl)-trideca-2,10-dienoate, ethyl 3,1 1-dimethyl-7-(i-propyl) -tridec-2-enoate, ethyl 3,1 1-dimethyl-7- (t-butyl)-trideca-2,6-dienoate, ethyl 3,1 1-dimethyl-7-(t-butyl)-trideca-2,10-dienoate, and ethyl 3,11-dimethyl-7-(t-butyl)-tridec-2-enoate,

respectively.

EXAMPLE 10 By using the ketones listed in Column VIII in place of 6 methyl 5 octen-Z-one and the ethylene ketal of the l-bromo-4-alkanones listed in Column VII in place of the ethylene ketal of 1-bromo-4-pentanone in Part B of EX- diethyl carbomethoxymethyl phosphonate and using the ample there 15 Obtmned mono-unsaturated and saturated 2-ketones prepared in this example in place of 6,10-dimethyldodeca-5,9-dien-2- one, the following ethyl esters are obtained: m 'm l f 2,ll-d1methyl-7(1propyl)-tr1deca-6,1O-d1en-3-one, and ethyl 3,7,11-trlmethyldodwells-(lemme, 2,2,11-trimethyl-7-(t-butyl)-trideca-6,10-dien-3-one, ethyl 3,7,1 l-trimethyldodeca-2,10-d1enoate, ethyl 3,7,11-trimethyldodec-Z-enoate, respectively, which are hydrogenated using the procedure ethyl 3,7-dirnethyl-l1-ethyltrideca-2,6-dienoate, of Example 7 to yield ethyl 3,7-dimethyl-1 1-ethyltrideca-2, lO-dienoate, ethyl 3,7-dimethyl-1 l-ethyltridec-Z-enoate, y y ethyl 3,7,1l,1Z-tetramethyltrideca-2,6-dienoate, y y and ethyl 3,7,1 1,12-tetramethyltrideca-2,IO-dienoate, 7-ethyl-1 l-methyltridecan-3-one; ethyl 3,7,1 1,1Z-tetramethyltridec-Z-enoate, 8-(n-propyl)-12-methyltetradec-7-en-4-one, ethyl 3,7-dimethyl-11-ethyltetradeca-2,6-dienoate, S-(n-propyl)-l2-methyltetradec-1l-en-4-one, and ethyl 3,7-dimethy1-1l-ethyltetradeca-Z,10-dienoate, 8-(n-propyl)-l2-methyltetradecan-4-one; ethyl 3,7dimethyl-1 1-ethyltetradec-2-enoate, 2,11-dimethyl-7-(i-propyl)-tridec-6-en-3-one, ethyl 3,7,1l,12,1Z-pentamethyltrideca-Z,6-dienoate, 2,1l-dimethyl-7- (i-propyl)-tridec-10-en-3-or1e, and ethyl 3,7,11,12,12-pentamethyltrideca-2,10-dienoate, 2,11-dimethyl-7-(i-propyl)-tridecan-3-one; and

and 2,2,1 1-trimethyl-7-(t-butyl)-tridec-6-en-3-one, ethyl 3,7,11,12,1Z-pentamethyltridec-Z-enoate, 2,2,11-trimethy1-7-(t butyl)-tridec-10-en-3-one, and respectively 2,2,1l-trimethyl-7-(t-butyl)-tridecan-3-one,

EXAMPLE 9 respecnvely.

Y repeating thfi Procedure f Part A of Example} The thus-obtained mono-unsaturated ketones and sat 15mg the l'bfomo-l-alkanolles llsted in colllflm VII 111 40 urated ketones are subjected to the procedure of Part C place of 1-bromo-4-pentanone, the corresponding ketones f Example 1 using diethyl carbethoxymethyl h listed in Column VIII are obtained which are used in Part Hate to Obtain the f ll i ethyl esters;

B of Example 1 to afford the diunsaturated ketones listed in Column IX. The diunsaturated ketones are hydroethyl 3,7-diethy1-11 methyltridgca-2 6.dien ate genated using the Procedure of Example 7 to yield y ethyl 3,7-diethyl-1 1-methyltrideca-2,10-dienoate, 10-methyldodec-5-en-2-one, 6-ethyl-10-methyldodec-9-enethyl 3 7 h 1-1 1 1 id 2 and y y P Py ethyl 3,7-(n-propyl)-11-methyltrideca2,6-dienoate, Y -P PY 10 methyl ethyl 3,7-(n-propyl)-1l-methyltrideca-Z,IO-dienoate, dodec-9-en-2-one, and 6-(n'propyl)-10-methyldodecan-2- ethyl 37 (n propyl) l1 methyltridec z enoate one; 6 (l'propyl) 10 methyldodec's'enfz'one ethyl 3,7-di(i-propyl)-1l-methyltrideca-Z,6-dienoate, P PYU- and -P PY ethyl 3,7-di(i-propyl)-1l-methyltrideca-2,IO-dienoate, methyldodecan-Z-one; and 6-(t-butyl)-10-methyldodec-5- ethyl 37 di(i propy1) 1l methyltridec 2 enoate, 6-(t-butyl)-1o-methyldodec-9{IQ-One, and ethyl 3,7-di(t-butyl)-11-methyltrideca-2,6-dienoate, t-butyl)-10-methyldodecan-2-one, respectively.

VII VIII IX 1-bromo4-hexanone 7-methylnon-6-en-3-one G-ethyl-lO-methyldodeca-5,

9-dien-2-onc. l-bromo-4-heptanone 8-methyldec-7-en-4-one fi-(n-propyl)-10-methyldo- 1-bromo-5,5-dlmethyl-4- 2,2,7-trimethylnon-G-en-3- hexanone.

one.

ethyl 3,7-di(t-butyl)-11-methyltrideca-2,IO-dienoate, and ethyl 3,7-di (t-butyl)-1 l-methyltridec-Z-enoate,

respectively.

EXAMPLE 11 The process of Part A of Example 1 is repeated using acetone in place of methyl ethyl ketone and the ethylene ketal of the 1-bromo-4-alkanones listed in Column VII in place of 1-bromo-4-pentanone to alford the compounds listed in Column X which are used in place of 6-methyl-5- 0cten-2-one in Part B of Example 1 to afford the com; p n s listed in Column XI. 7 n

2-one.

2,7-dimethy1oct-6-en-3-one- 6-g-propyl)-10-methylundeca-5,9-dien- -one.

2,2,7-trimethyloct fi-en-fi-one. (i-t-hutyl)-10-methylundeca'5,9- dien- -one.

The compounds listed in Column XI are hydrogenated according to the procedure of Example 7 to yield 6- ethyl-lO-methyundec--en-2-one, 6-ethyl-lll-methylundec- 9-en-2-one and 6-ethyl IO-methylundecan-Z-one; 6(npropyl) methylundec-S-en-Z-one, 6-(n-propyl)-10- methylundec 9-en-2-one and 6-(n-propyl-l0-methylundecan 2 one; 6-(i-propyl)-lO-methylundec-5-en-2-one, 6- (i-propyl) 10-methylundec-9-en-2-one and 6-(i-propyl)- 10 methyl-undecan-Z-one; and 6-(t-butyl)-10-rnethylundec 5 en-2-one, 6-(t-butyl)-10-methylundec-9-en-2-one and 6-(t-bntyl)-lO-methylundecan-Z-one, respectively.

The thus-obtained mono-unsaturated and saturated ketones are treated with diethyl carbethoxymethylphosphonate using the procedure of Example 1 (Part C) to afi'ord:

ethyl 3,1l-dimethyl-7-ethyldodeca-2,6-dienoate,

ethyl 3 ,11-dimethyl-7-ethyldodeca-Z,10-dienoate,

ethyl 3 ,11-dimethyl-7-ethyldodec-Z-enoate,

ethyl 3,1 1-dimethyl-7- (n-propyl)-dodeca-2,6-dienoate, ethyl 3,l1-dimethyl-7-(n-propyl)-dodeca-2,10-dienoate, ethyl 3 ,1 1-dimethyl-7- (n-propyl -dodec-2-enoate,

ethyl 3,11-dimethyl-7-'(i-propyl)-dodeca-2,6-dienoate, ethyl 3,1 l-dimethyl-7- i-propyl -dodeca-2, IO-dienoate, ethyl 3,11-dimethyl-7-(i-propyl)-dodec-2-enoate,

ethyl 3 ,11-dirnethyl-7-(t-butyl)-dodeca-2,6-dienoate, ethyl 3,1l-dimethyl-7-(t-hutyl)-dodeca-2,l0-dienoate, and ethyl 3,1l-dimethyl-7-(t-butyl)-clodec-2-enoate,

respectively.

EXAMPLE 12 The mono-unsaturated ketones listed in Column X are substituted in place of 6 methyl-S-octen-Z-one and the ethylene ketal of the 1-bromo-4-hexanone is used in place of the ethylene ketal of l-br0mo-4-pentanone in the process of Example 1 (Part B) to give 7-ethyl-11-methyldodeca 6,10-dien-3-one, 7-(n-propyl)-l1-rnethyldodeca-6, 10 dien-3-one, 7-(i-propyl)-1l-methyldodeca-6,l0-dien-3- one and 7-(t-butyl)-11-methyldodeca-6,10-dien-3-one, respectively, which are hydrogenated using the procedure of Example 7 to yield 7-ethyl-11-methyldodec-6-en-3-one, 7 ethyl-1l-rnethyldodec-10-en-3-one and 7-ethyl-11-methyldodecan 3-one; 7-(n-propyl)-11-methyldodec-6-en-3-one, 7 (n-propyl) 11 methyldodec-10-en-3-one and 7-(npropyl)-l 1-rnethyldodecan-3-one; 7 (i-propyD-l l-methyldodec 6-en-3-one, 7-(i-pr0pyl)-11-methyldodec-10-en-3- one and 7 (i-propyl)-11-methyldodecan-3-one; and 7- (tbutyl) 11 methyldodec 6 en-3-one, 7-(t-buty1)-11- methylclodec 10 en-3-one and 7-(t-butyl)-l-l-methyldodecan-3-one, respectively.

The thus-obtained mono-unsaturated and saturated 3- ketones are treated with diethyl carbethoxymet-hylphosphonate using the procedure of Example 1 (Part C) to give:

ethyl 3,7-diethyl-1 1-methyldodeca-2,6-dienoate,

ethyl 3,7-diethyl-l l-methyldodeca-2,IO-dienoate,

ethyl 3 ,7-diethyll l-methyldodec-Z-enoate,

ethyl 3-ethyl-7-(n-propyU-l 1-methyldodeca-2,6-

dienoate,

ethyl 3'ethyl-7- (n-propyl -1 l-methyldodeca-Z, l 0- dienoate,

ethyl 3-ethyl-7-(n-propyl)-1 l-methyldodec-2-enoate,

ethyl 3-ethyl-7- (i-propyl) -l l-methyldodeca-2,6-dienoate,

ethyl 3-ethy1-7- (i-propyl -1 1-methyldodeca2,l0-

dienoate,

22 ethyl 3 -ethyl-7- (i-propyl -1 l-methyldodec-2-enoate, ethyl 3-ethyl-7- t-hutyl -1 l-methyldodeca-2,6-dienoate, ethyl 3-ethyl-7-(t-butyl)-ll-methyldodeca-2,10-dienoate,

and ethyl 3-ethyl-7- t-butyl -1 l-methyldodec-2-enoate,

respectively.

By repeating the procedure of this example using the ethylene ketal of the other l-bromo-4-alkanones listed in Column VII in place of the ethylene ketal of l-bromo- 4 hexanone, the corresponding 3 (n-propyl)-, 3-(ipropyl)-, and 3-(t-butyl)-ethyl esters of the 3-ethyl esters enumerated in the preceding paragraph are obtained, for example, ethyl 3 (n-propyl) 7 ethyl-11-methyldodeca- 2,6 dienoate, ethyl 3 (n-propyl) 7 ethyl-ll-met-hyldodeca 2,10 dienoate and ethyl 3 (n-propyl)-7-ethyl- 1l-methyldodec-Z-enoate.

EXAMPLE '1 3 The procedure of Example 1 (-Part A) is repeated using diethyl ketone in place of methyl ethyl ketone and 1-bromo-4-hexanone in place of l-bromo- 4-pentanone to give 7-ethylnon-6-en-3-one. By repeating this procedure using ethyl i-propyl ketone, ethyl n-propyl ketone, ethyl t-butyl ketone, ethyl n-butyl ketone, and di-i-propyl ketone in place of diethyl ketone, there is obtained 7(ipropyl)-non-6-en-3-one, 7 ethyldec 6 en 3 one, 7 (t-butyl)-non 6 en 3 one, 7-ethylundec-6-en-3- one, and 7-(i-propyl)-8-methyluon-6-en-3-one, respectively.

The process of Example 1 (Part B) is repeated using the thus-obtained alk-6-en-3-ones in place of 6-methyl- 5 octen-2-one and the ethylene ketal of ,l-bromohexan- 4-one in place of the ethylene ketal of l-brornopentan- 4-one to afford 7,1 l-diethyltrideca-6, l 0-dien-3-one,

l 1- (i-propyl -7-ethyltrideca-6, l 0-dien-3-one,

7,1 1-diethy1tetradeca-6, l0-dien-3-one,

1 1-(t-butyl)-7-ethyltrideca-6,10=dien-3-0ne,

7,1 1-diethylpentadeca-6,l0-dien-3-one and 7 -ethyl- 1 1-(i-propyl)-12-methyltrideca6, lll-dien-3-one,

respectively, which are hydrogenated using the procedure of Example 7to yield,

7,1'1-diethyltridec-6-en-3-one, 7 l 1-diethyltridec-10-en-3- one and 7,11-diethyltridecan-3-one;

l1- (i-propyl -7-ethyltridec-6-en-3-one, 11- (i-propyl) 7-ethyltridec-10-en-3-one and 11-(i-propy1)7-ethyltridecan-3-one;

7,1 1-diethyltetradec-6-en-3-one, 7.,1 l-diethyltetradec- 10-en-3-one and 7,11-diethyltetradecan-3-one;

1l-(t-butyl)-7-ethyltridec-6-en-3-one, 1 1-(t-butyl)-7- ethyltridec-lO-en-S-one and .11-(t-butyl)-7-ethytr-idecan-B-one;

7,1 1-diethyipentadec-6-en-3-one, 7,1 l-diethylpentadec- 10-en-3'one and 7,1l-diethylpentadecau-3-one; and

7-ethyl-1 1- (i-propyl) -,12-methyltridec-6-en-3-one, 7 -ethyl- 11- (i-propyl)-12-methyltridec-10-en-3-one and 7- ethyl-11-(i-propy1)-12-methyltridecan-3-one,

respectively, each of which are treated with diethyl carbethoxymethylphosphonate using the procedure of Example 1 (Part C) to afford:

ethyl 3,7,1 1-triethyltrideca-2,6-dienoate, ethyl 3,7,1.1-triethyltrideca-2,10-dienoate, ethyl 3,7,1 1-triethyltridec-2-enoate,

ethyl 3,7,1 1-triethyl-l2-rnethyltrideca-2,6dienoate,

ethyl 3,7,1 l-triethyl-12-methyltrideca-2,lO-dienoate, ethyl 3 ,7, 1 l-triethyll 2-rnethyltridec-2senoate,

ethyl 3,7,1 1-triethyltetradeca-2,6-dienoate,

ethyl 3,7,11-triethyltetradeca-2,IO-dienoate,

ethyl 3,7,1 l-triethyltetradec-2-enoate,

ethyl 3,7,1 l-triethyl-lZ,1Z-dimethyltrideca-2,6-dienoate, ethyl 3,7,1 l-triethy1-12, 12-dimethyltrideca-2,10-dienoate,

ethyl 3,7,1 l-triethyl-l2,12-dimethyltridec-Z-enoate,

ethyl 3,7,1 1-triethylpentadeca-2,6-dienoate,

ethyl 3,7,1 1-triethylpentadeca-2,10-dienoate,

ethyl 3,7,1 1-tr-iethylpentadec-Z-enoate,

ethyl 3,7-diethyl-1l-(i-propyl)-12-methyltrideca-2,6-

dienoate,

ethyl 3 ,7-diethyl-l l-(i-propyl) -12-methyltrideca-2,10-

dienoate, and

ethyl 3,7-diethyl-1 1-(i-propyl)-12-methyltridec-2- enoate, respectively.

EXAMPLE 14 Each of 6,l-dimethyldodec-5-en-2-one, 6,10 dimethyldodec 9 en 2 one and 6,.lO-dimethyldQdecan-Z-Qne is treated With diethyl carbethoxymethylphosphonate using the procedure of Example 1 (Part C) to yield ethyl 3,7,11 trimethyltrideca-2,6-dienoate, ethyl 3,7,11-trimethyltrideca 2,10 dienoate and ethyl 3,7,11-trirnethyltridec-Z-enoate, respectively.

EXAMPLE 15 To a solution of 20.9 g. of the ethylene ketal of 1- bromohexant-one (obtained by treating l-bromo 4- hexanone with ethylene glycol in benzene in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid) in 100ml. of benzene is added g. of triphenylphosphine. This mixture is heated at reflux temperature for two hours and then filtered. The solid material thus collected is washed with benzene, dried in vacuo and added to 6.49 g. of butyl lithium in 50 ml. of dimethylsulfoxide. This mixture is stirred until an orange solution is obtained and 3. 8 g. of ethyl methyl ketone is then added. This mixture is stirred at about C. for about eight hours, poured into Water and this mixture is extracted with ether. The ethereal extracts are concentrated and the residue thus obtained is added to a 0.1 N solution of hydrochloric acid in aqueous acetone and stirred for about 15 hours. The mixture is then poured into ice Water and extracted with ethyl acetate. After Washing these extracts with Water and drying them over sodium sulfate, they are evaporated to yield a mixture of the cis and trans isomer of 7-methylnon-6-en-3- one which is separated by preparative gas-liquid chromatography into the individual isomers.

To a solution of 20.9 g. of the ethylene ketal of 1- bromopentan-4-one in 100 ml. of benzene is added 20 g. of triphenylphosphine. This mixture is heated at reflux temperature for two hours and then filtered. The solid material thus collected is Washed with benzene, dried in vacuo and added to 6.49 g. of butyl lithium in 50 m1. of dimethylsulfoxide. This mixture is stirred until an orange solution is obtained and 5.5 g. of cis 7-methylnon-6-en-3- one (the ketone obtained in Paragraph 1) is then added. This mixture is stirred at about 25 C. for about eight hours, poured into water and this mixture is extracted with ether. The ethereal extracts are concentrated and the residue thus obtained is added to a 0.1 N solution of hydrochloric acid in aqueous acetone and stirred for about 15 hours. The mixture is then poured into ice Water and extracted with ethyl acetate. After washing these extracts With Water and drying them over sodium sulfate, they are evaporated to furnish a mixture of the trans, cis and cis, cis isomers of 6-ethyl-10-methyldodeca-5,9-dien-2-one which is separated by preparative gas-liquid chromatography to the individual isomers.

By repeating the above procedure with the exception of using trans 7-methylnon-6-en-3-one in place of cis 7- methylnon-6-en-3-one, there is obtained a mixture of the cis, trans and trans, trans isomers of 6-ethyl-10-methyldodeca which is separtated as described above.

Similarly, in the above procedure, instead of using either the trans or cis isomer of 7-methylnon-6-en-3-one as the starting material, there can be used a mixture of the isomers obtained in Paragraph 1 hereof in which case a mix u of the four some s is obtained whi h an then be 24 separated by preparative gas-liquid chromatography into the four isomers.

A mixture of 11.2 g. of diethyl carbethoxymethylphosphonate in ml. of diglyme is treated with 2.4 g. of sodium hydride. This mixture is stirred until the evolution of gas ceases and 7.5 g. of trans, cis 6-ethyl-10- methyldodeca5,9-dien-Z-one is then slowly added with stirring, maintaining a temperature below 30 C. The mixture is stirred for about 15 minutes and then diluted with Water and extracted with ether. These ethereal extracts are washed well with water, dried over sodium sulfate, and evaporated to remove the solvent to furnish a mixture of the trans,trans,cis and cis,trans,cis isomers of ethyl 3,11- dimethyl-7-ethyltrideca-2,6,10-trienoate which is separated by preparative gas-liquid chromatography.

The above procedure is repeated three times with the exception of using cis, cis 6-ethyl-10-methyldodeca-5,9- dien-Z-one as the starting material the first time; trans, trans 6-ethyl-l0-methyldodeca-5,9-dien-2-one the second time; and cis, trans 6-ethyl-10-methyldodeca-S,9-dien-2- one the third time to obtain the cis,cis,trans and cis,cis,cis; the trans,trans,trans and trans,trans,cis; and the cis,trans, trans and cis,trans,cis of ethyl 3,11-dimethyl-7-ethyltrideca-2,6,l0-trienoate, respectively. The isomers are separated by preparative gas-liquid chromatography.

EXAMPLE 16 Anhydrous hydrogen chloride is bubbled into 100 m1. of carbon tetrachloride at 0 C. until a saturated solution is obtained. One gram of methyl 3,7,1l-trimethyltrideca- 2,6,10-trienoate is added and the resulting mixture is then allowed to stand at 0 C. for four days. Then the mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure to an oil which is purified by column chromatography to furnish methyl 11- chloro-3,7,11trimethyltrideca-2,6-dienoate.

The process of this example is repeated with the exception of substituting other 2,6,l0-trienoates prepared hereinabove, e.g. those of Examples 2-5, for the starting material and there is obttined the corresponding ll-chloro- 2,6-dienoate, for example methyl 11-chloro-3,7,l1-trimethyldodeca-2,6-dienoate,

methyl 11-chloro-3,1 1-dimethyl-7-ethyltrideca-2,6-

dienoate,

methyl I 1-chloro-3,7-diethyl-1 1-methyltrideca-2,6-

dienoate,

and the like, ethyl 11-chloro-3,7,11-trimethyltrideca-2,6-

dienoate, ethyl 11 chloro 3,7,1l-trimethyldodeca-2,6-

dienoate, and the like.

By repeating the process of this example with the exception of substituting the corresponding 2,6,10-trienoic acids prepared hereinabove (see, for example. Example 6), as the starting material in place of the 2,6,10-trienoate employed above, the corresponding 11-chloro-2,6-dienoic acids are obtained, e.g.

1 1-chloro-3,7,1l-trimethyltrideca-2,6-dienoic acid,

1 1-ch1oro-3,7,1 1-trimethyldodeca-2,6-dienoic acid,

1 1-chloro-3,11-dimethyl-7-ethy1trideca-2,6-dienoic acid, 1 1-chloro-3,7-diethyl-11-methyltrideca-2,6-dienoic acid, 1 1-chloro-3,11-dimethy1-7-ethyldodeca-2,6-dienoic acid, 1 l-chloro-7,1 1-dimethy1-3-ethy1trideca-2,6-dienoic acid, 1 1-chloro-7,1 l-dimethyl-3-ethyldodeca-2,6-dienoic acid,

and the like.

EXAMPLE 17 The procedure of Example 16 is repeated using other C-10,11 unsaturated compounds described herein such as those of Examples 8-14, to obtain the corresponding ll-chloro-derivatives, e.g. ethyl 1l-chloro-3,11-dimethyl- 7 ethyltrideca 2,6 dienoate, ethyl 11-chloro-3,1l-dimethyl-7-ethyldodec-2-enoate, and the like.

EXAMPLE 18 The procedure of Example 16 is repeated with the exception of substituting hydrogen bromide in place of hydrogen chloride and the corresponding ll-bromo derivatives are obtained, e.g. methyl ll-bromo-3,7,1l-trimethyltrideca 2,6-dienoate, 11-bromo-3,7,1l-trimethyltrideca- 2,6-dienoic acid, and the like.

EXAMPLE 19 To a solution of 24 g. of 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,ltrienoic acid in 100 ml. of benzene is added 2.44 g. of sodium hydride and this mixture is stirred at 25 C. until evolution of hydrogen ceases and then cooled to 7 C. Oxalyl chloride (14.5 gm.) in 25 ml. of benzene is next added slowly with stirring and the mixture is then allowed to stand at 25 C. for 6' hours. At the end of this time, ml. of methanol are added and the resulting mixture is stirred at C. for an additional 14 hours. This mixture is Washed three times with 200 ml. portions of water, dried and evaporated in vacuo to yield methyl 3,7 ,1 1-trirnethy1dodeca-2,6, IO-trienoate.

Use of other alcohols in the foregoing procedure such as ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, hexanol, octanol and the like in place of methanol yields the corresponding alkyl esters.

EXAMPLE 20 and cis, cis isomeric starting materials in each of these variations there are obtained:

cis, trans acid;

cis, trans 3,7,11-trirnethyl-1 1-bromododeca-2,6-dienoic acid;

trans, cis 3,7 ,1 l-trimethyl-l l-chlorododeca-Z,6-dienoic acid;

trans, cis 3,7,1l-trimethyl-l1-brornododeca-2,6-dienoic acid;

cis, cis 3,7,11-trimethyl-11-chlorododeca-2,6-dienoic acid; and

cis, cis 3,7,11-trimethyl-11-bromododeca-2,6-dienoic acid.

3,7,1 l-trimethyl-l 1-chlorododeca-2,G-dicnoic EXAMPLE 21 One gram of trans, trans 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10- trienoic acid is added to a solution of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride in tetrahydrofuran. The mixture is allowed to stand at 0 C. for 15 hours and is then washed with water, aqueous sodium bicarbonate and again with water, dried and evaporated to yield an oil. This is purified by thin layer chromatography to produce trans, trans 3,7,11- trimethyl-l 1-fluorododeca-2,6-dienoic acid.

Alternatively, l g. of trans, trans 3,7,11-trimethyl-llbromododeca-2,6-dienoic acid in 20 ml. of acetonitrile is refluxed with 500 mg. of anhydrous silver fluoride for 12 hours. The reaction mixture is then cooled, filtered and diluted with ether. This organic solution is washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. The residue thus obtained is chromatographed to yield trans, trans 3,7,1l-trimethyl-ll-fluorododeca-2,6-dienoic acid.

In similar fashions there are obtained:

cis, trans 3,7,11-trimethyl-l1-fiuorododeca-2,6-dienoic acid;

trans, cis 3,7,1l-trimethyl-l1-fluorododeca-2,6-dienoic acid; and

cis, cis 3,7,1l-trimetlfyl-l1-fluorododeca-2,6-dienoic acid.

26 EXAMPLE 22 Two grams of trans, trans 3,7,11-trimethyl-1l-chlorododeca-2,6-dienoic acid in 10 ml. of ether are added to a solution of 0.6 g. of diazoethane in 15 ml. of ether. This mixture is allowed to stand at 0 C. for 1 hour and the excess diazoethane is then destroyed by the careful addition of acetic acid until the solution is colorless. The solvent is removed under vacuum to yield trans, trans ethyl 3,7,1 l-trimethyl-l 1-chlorododeca-2,6-dienoate.

In a similar fashion there is obtained:

cis, trans ethyl 3,7,1l-trimethyl-ll-chlorododeca 2,6-

dienoate;

cis, trans ethyl 3,7 1 l-trimethyl-l l-bromododeca-2,6-dienoate;

cis, trans ethyl 3,7,1l-trirnethyl-l1-fiuorododeca-2,6-

dienoic acid;

trans, cis ethyl 3,7,1l-trimethyl-l1-chlorododeca-2,6-

dienoate;

trans, cis ethyl 3,7,11-trimethyl-11-bromododeca-2,6-

dienoate;

trans, cis ethyl 3,7,11-trimethyl-1l-fiuorododeca-2,6-

dienoic acid;

cis, cis ethyl 3,7,1l-trimethyl-l1-chlorododeca-2,6-

dienoate;

cis, cis ethyl 3,7,l1-trimethyl-1 l-bromododeca-2,6-

dienoate; and

cis, cis ethyl 3,7,1l-trimethyl-ll-fluorododeca-2,6-dienoic acid.

By substituting diazomethane and diazopropane in the foregoing procedure, the corresponding methyl and propyl esters are obtained, e.g. trans, trans methyl 3,7,11-trimethyl-11-chlorododeca-2,fi-dienoate, trans, trans propyl 3,7,11-trimethyl 11 chlorododeca-Z,6-dienoate and the like.

Alternatively, 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca 2,6,10 trienoic acid may be esterified according to the procedure of this example and the resulting ester then hydrohalogenated as described in Example 20.

EXAMPLE 23 To a solution of 28 g. of trans, trans ethyl 3,7,11-trimethyl-11-chlorododeca-2,6-dienoate in 250 ml. of dry ethyl acetate are added 500 mg. of (4%) activated palladium-on-barium sulfate. The resulting mixture is hydrogenated at room temperature until 10% molar excess of gaseous hydrogen has been consumed. The mixture is then filtered through diatomaceous earth, diluted with 500 ml. of benzene, washed with four ml. portions of water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to predominately yield trans ethyl 3,7,1l-trimethyl-ll-chlorododec-Z-enoate which is purified by preparative scale gas-liquid chromatography.

Similarly, trans ethyl 3,7,1l-trimethyl-ll-fiuorododec- 2-enoate is prepared from trans, trans ethyl 3,7,1l-trimethyl-1l-fiuorododeca-2,6-dienoate or from trans, cis ethyl 3,7,11-trimethyl-1 l-fluorododeca 2,6 dienoate via the procedure of this example.

By the procedure described herein, the compounds listed under Column 4 are prepared from the respective compounds listed under Column 3.

Cis, trans 3,7,11-trimethyl-11- b1'0m0dodeca-2,6-dienoic acid. Ois, cis 3,7,ll-trimethyl-ll-chlorododeca lfi-dienoic acid. Trans, cis 3,7,11-trimethy1-11- fiuorododeca-2,6-dienoic acid.

Cis 3,711-trimethyl1l-bromododec-Z-enoic acid.

Cis 3,7,ll-trimethyl-ll-chlorododec-2-enoic acid.

Trans 3,7,11-trimethyl-11-fiuorodcdec-Z-enoic acid.

Trans methyl 3,7,11-trlmethyl-11- fiuorododec-Qenoate.

Trans propyl 3,7,11-trimethy111- brpmododec-Z-enoate.

Cis isopropyl 3,7,11-tr1methyl-11- chlorododee-2 enoate.

Cis hexy13 7,11-trimethyl-11- fiuorododec-Z-enoate.

27 EXAMPLE 24 A solution of 0.5 g. of trans, trans 3,7,11-trimethyl-1lchlorododeca-2,6-dienoic acid in absolute methanol is titrated with a methanolic solution of sodium methoxide. Ether is added and the solid is collected, washed with methanol and dried to yield sodium trans, trans 3,7,11- trimethyl-l 1-chlorododeca-2,6-dienoate.

EXAMPLE 25 The procedure of Example 21 is repeated with the exception of using other 2,6,10-triunsaturated compounds described herein as the starting material to obtain the corresponding 1l-fiuoro-2,6-diunsaturated derivatives, e.g. 11 fluoro 3,7,1l-trirnethyltrideca-Z,6-dienoic acid, 11- fiuor-3,1l-dimethyl-7-ethyltrideca-2,6-dienoic acid, methyl 11-fluoro-3,7,1 1-trimethyltrideca-2,6-dienoate.

EXAMPLE 26 Dry hydrogen chloride is bubbled through 100 ml. of ethyl ether at 0 C. for about minutes. One gram of trans, trans 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienoic acid is added and the resulting solution is allowed to stand at 0 C. for 5 hours. The solution is then washed with water, aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and again with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to yield an oil. Upon purification by a thin layer chromatography there is obtained trans, trans 3,7,1l-trimethyl-ll-chlorododeca-2,6-dienoic acid.

By substituting hydrogen bromide for hydrogen chloride in the foregoing procedure, there is obtained trans, trans 3,7,1l-trimethyl-l1-bromododeca-2,6-dienoic acid.

By substituting the corresponding cis, trans; trans, cis; and cis, ci's isomeric starting materials in each of these variations there are obtained:

cis, trans 3,7,1l-trimethyl-l1-chlorododeca-2,6-dienoic cisi ttfans 3,7,1 l-trimethyl-l l-bromododeca-2,6-dienoic tra ii st cis 3,7 l l-trimethyl-l 1-chlorododeca-2,6-dienoic traisijbis 3,7,11-trimethyl-1 1-bromododeca-2,6-dienoic aci 28 cis, cis 3,7,1l-trimethyl-l1-chlorododeca-2,6-dienoic acid; and cis, cis 3,7,1l-trimethyl-l1*bromododeca-Zfi-dienoic acid.

What is claimed is:

1. A compound selected from those of the following Formula A:

each of R R R and R is lower alkyl;

Z is bromo, chloro or fluoro; and

R is hydrogen or lower alkyl.

2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein each of R R R and R is methyl or ethyl.

3. A compound according to claim 2 wherein Z is bromo, chloro or fluoro.

4. A compound according to claim 3 wherein Z is chloro and R is methyl, ethyl or isopropyl.

5. A compound according to claim 3 wherein each of R R R and R is methyl.

6. A compound according to claim 4 wherein each of R R R and R is methyl.

7. A compound according to claim 6 wherein R is ethyl.

8. A compound according to claim 5 wherein Z is fiuoro and R is lower alkyl of one to three carbon atoms.

9. A compound according to claim 5 wherein Z is brorno and R is lower alkyl of one to three carbon atoms.

10. A compound according to claim 5 wherein R is hydrogen.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1972 Romanuk et al 260-408 7/1969 Cruickshank 424-84 

